The web quest was used to encourage student collaboration and allowing for independent work when necessary. The web quest is also delivering student centred content to allow for engagement and greater construction of knowledge.
The use of smart classrooms is being encouraged as it will allow for learning managers to deliver improved teaching opportunities and to improve learning productivity from students. Within this knowledge based economy it is important for teachers to use and to learn how to use effective ICTs within the classroom, (Smart Classrooms strategy).
Bubbl.us
This is a interactive brain storming activity used to engage all learners in a visual and interactive way
Brainstorming can be a way in encouraging whole class involvement in the thinking and remembering process, (Frangenheim, 2010). No student need be excluded, all ideas are taken down regardless of how 'silly' it may seem and can encourage acceptance of others ideas by all students
YouTube
YouTube was used within the web quest in order to give the students a varied and visual way of gathering knowledge of Australian explorers'.
By using the video from youTube it is encouraging the students to become more engaged with the content, when students are viewing a youTube clip they are more likely to respond as it is a more dynamic medium aimed at getting the students excited and enthusiastic about the Australian Explorers, (Rockinson‐Szapkiw, 2011).
Digital Resources Prezi wiki PowerPoint
The students were given various options of digital resource to use for their collaborative presentation and given the freedom to choose one agreed on by all members of the group.
The use of the digital resources as the presentation tool, aims to encourage collaborative learning. According to Vygotsky, (as cited in Snowman, 2010), giving the students the opportunity to exchange ideas will not only encourage engagement and interaction with material but will promote enhanced critical thought. Through incorporating the use of collaboration and cooperative learning activities into the learning sequence, this will allow the students to experience the proud feeling of ownership over their work and learning (Bruner, 1985).
Justification of ICTs used.
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Prezi
wiki
PowerPoint